When I was thinking of what to feature this week, I thought that I’d change it up, and go with a movie score. But what movie would that soundtrack come from?
I decided to go with one of the first that I thought of. No, this didn’t have a profound meaning to me, or was there for a pivotal moment in this movie lovers life. It’s not John Williams (where’d you even start?) who could have his own column each week. Or Hans Zimmer or James Newton Howard. It’s Daniel Pemberton. A relative newcomer, he’s been around a while, and has a fair number of credits to his name, but isn’t a name that’s entered the world lexicon. The reason I chose this weeks album, is just because it’s damn good, and a little different. The movie itself was and is overlooked, the movie being, 2015’s The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
Based on the 60’s television show of the same name, the film follows a couple of cold war spies. The composition perfectly hit’s the time and genre, blending both a modern and vintage sound. It just has a vibe. The soundtrack is also rounded out with a few songs from the era the film takes place, including songs from Roberta Flack and Nina Simone, as well as a few others for you to discover as you listen.
It’s a movie, and by extension a score that was, as I said earlier, overlooked. Maybe, hopefully this can show a few of you the light. Whether you’re a seasoned score listener or a newbie.
Well, I guess since I have you here, I may as well recommend a another of Pemberton’s from 2015, the Steve Jobs soundtrack.
These two might not be for everyone, especially if you’re a fan of the more ambient, droney soundtrack. Even if you are, I recommend branching out and trying something new.